flying to/in Europe with oneworld

[theworld2]

In the process of booking a trip to Europe, not sure best way to go about travelling there and getting around once there.
Picking up a cruise in Amsterdam so I was thinking....
MEL to HKG (QF or CX in J)
HKG to AMS (CX in J)
OR
MEL to LHR (QF in J)
LHR to AMS (BA in J)

The cruise ends up in Rome and I wanted to have a look round Paris and Geneva. Thought perhaps Rome to Geneva on Alitalia? then train to Paris and get a BA flight from CDG to LHR? then do LHR-MEL (QF J).

Really not sure about flying Alitalia, haven't heard one good story....
maybe this better...
Rome to LHR (BA J)
LHR to CDG (BA J)
GVA to LHR (BA J)
LHR to MEL (QF J)

Any thoughts?

 

[NM]

Don't expect much from J class on intra-Europe flights. Its often not worth paying any extra for the J seat on many short European flights.

You could use IB and connect through MAD or BCN if you want to avoid LHR, but I would be happy transiting in LHR since I know it well and appreciate their FLounges. Depending on the time of year, allow plenty of slack time in your schedule as LHR can cause delays.

I found the trains very good for getting around Europe, using a pre-purchased Eurail pass. Its often faster than flying and can be more comfortable with the benefit of seeing some of the countryside. And the trains arrive and depart from the city centres, often saving time and money on airport transfers.

 

[Travel Guru]

I'd second NM's comments re J class intra-europe, I made the mistake of paying the extra once and have never done it again, its simply not worth it as you're getting the same seat with the middle blocked and a slightly better snack.

Keep your money and travel Y, its quite adequate.

TG

 

[NM]

Keep your money and travel Y, its quite adequate.

And use the money saved for a nice restaurant meal somewhere special .

 

[Evan]

Don't forget FRA (Frankfurt) i find it a great airport to arrive at, and you can either take a train or another short flight to get to your destinations.

I dislike the AMS immigration... Seem always to get 20 questions (maybe just my bad luck)

E

 

[Commuter]

As everyone said, J within Europe is a waste of money. It's better to keep the money for other things.

 

[Tooner]

I'd second NM's comments re J class intra-europe, I made the mistake of paying the extra once and have never done it again, its simply not worth it as you're getting the same seat with the middle blocked and a slightly better snack.

Keep your money and travel Y, its quite adequate.

TG

The other reason is it is a very short trip from LHR to AMS, and AMS is easy to get out of. I do have a beef with the agents on the desks re lost baggage, but otherwise it is a good airport.

On OW you do have to go CX if you want to go direct (and you do - backtracking to the black hole - LHR - is not fun).

 

[Andyc]

Try FlyBaboo for your Rome to Geneva flight. I flew them for GVA-NAP earlier this year and was amazed how good it was (especially considering how bad its name is).

However with all intra-Europe flights I think its best to expect RyanAir quality and then sometimes you'll be surprised. Because if you expect J quality, you'll usually be disappinted.

 

[Jobu]

Are there any decent flights from Aus to Europe (eastern part of Western Europe - e.g. Vienna, Prague, Budapest, etc) with OneWorld that don't have to back track from London or Helsinki?

Seems to do so you need multiple stops which makes it even more of a pain than doubling back from LHR...

JOBU

 

[serfty]

Try this:

• oneworld Online Timetable

Click on SIN, BKK, NRT and HKG to see possible options.

 

[JohnK]

Are there any decent flights from Aus to Europe (eastern part of Western Europe - e.g. Vienna, Prague, Budapest, etc) with OneWorld that don't have to back track from London or Helsinki?

I know Malev has flights from BUD-BKK, I think only 3 days a week, but note that it is a 767.